Darius Alton Davis (6 May 1883 - 1970) organized the YMCA in Europe.
He was born on 6 May 1883 in Skerry, New York.
He worked on the family farm in Malone, New York. In 1903, he graduated from the Franklin Academy in Malone, New York. He then attended Syracuse University from 1903 to 1907, majoring in theology. In 1905 he was elected president of Syracuse University's YMCA chapter, and he graduated from the institution in 1907. He then became the religious director for the YMCA in Washington, D.C. After World War I Davis was appointed as the senior YMCA representative for all of Europe, where he organized YMCA chapters in several countries. In 1925, he became secretary of the national YMCA council in Switzerland, and in 1931 was he was named the associate general secretary of the World YMCA, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
He died in May 1970 in Westwood, New Jersey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WESTWOOD, N.J., May 21 —Darius A. Davis, who directed aid to war prisoners for the Young Men's Christian Associa tion during both World Wars, died here yesterday. He was 87 years old and lived at 90 Hurlbut Street.
Mr. Davis joined the Y.M.C.A. staff in Washington as religious work director after graduating from Syracuse University in 1907. He later headed Y.M.C.A. work in Turkey for the organization’s International Committee
At the outbreak of World War I, he went to France to direct Y.M.C.A. aid to war prisoners on both sides of the conflict. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by France, and honored by 10 other European governments.
Extracted from The New York Times, May 22, 1970, Page 29
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BIOGRAPHY OF DARIUS A. DAVIS
Darius Alton Davis (1883-1970) graduated from Syracuse University in 1907 and immediately went to work for the YMCA as director of religious activities in Washington, D.C. In 1910 he began international work for the Y as the general secretary in Turkey, where he organized war relief work during the Balkan Wars. In 1915 he went to work for the Y's International Committee working with prisoners of war in France, Italy, and Sardinia. In 1917 at the request of General Pershing he worked on establishing 1,600 YMCA huts in France for Allied soldiers.
After World War I Davis continued his international YMCA service in a number of positions. In 1919 the International Committee appointed him senior representative in Europe; his work concentrated on organizing YMCAs in Eastern Europe. From 1925 to 1932 he served as secretary of the National Council of Switzerland. From 1931 to 1949 he served as associate general secretary of the World Alliance of YMCAs. In this position during World War II he worked with the YMCA's War Prisoners' Aid program, which provided religious, educational, and recreational services to prisoners of war in Europe and the Far East. From 1945 to 1949 Davis was the senior representative of the YMCA in Germany, working on service to displaced persons and former prisoners of war. In 1949 he came back to the United States and continued to work on the International Committee staff.
Davis married Maud Merritt in 1907 and the couple had one daughter, Shirley, born in 1913.
Syracuse University granted him honorary L. H. D. in 1923.
Throughout most of his European work he resided in Geneva, Switzerland.
Information from the YMCA Archives, University of Minnesota
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darius Alton Davis was born in 1883 in Skerry, New York, and worked on the family farm about ten miles southwest of Malone in Franklin County. The Davis family was devoutly religious, following the lead of Darius’ father, Newton, who took an active role in the local church, Sunday school, and county Bible Society.
In 1903, Darius graduated from Franklin Academy in Malone. At the commencement, several students presented papers to the assembly. Darius chose as his subject David Livingstone, the legendary Scottish explorer and medical missionary. The audience heard details on Livingstone’s humble beginnings, hard work, civility, and desire to help others. What young Davis was presenting, in fact, was a blueprint for his own future.
Darius attended Syracuse University (1903–1907), where he studied theology and played a leadership role on campus. “Dri,” as he was known, was a top oarsman, guiding the crew team to many sensational victories, including one world-record effort that stood for five years.
In 1905, he was elected president of the university’s YMCA (recently renamed “the Y”), an event that would determine his life’s direction. Prior to graduation in 1907, Darius accepted a position as religious director for the YMCA in Washington, D.C. After marrying his college sweetheart, he worked three years in Washington while continuing his studies, attending four terms at the Silver Bay YMCA School on Lake George, New York.
His personality, intelligence, and work ethic made Darius a very capable leader, and in 1910, the International Committee of the YMCA assigned him to establish a presence in Constantinople, Turkey. From the position of general secretary of operations, Darius built a membership of nearly 600 in the first year.
In late 1912, the Balkan War broke out, and Davis assumed the organization of Red Cross aid. He also volunteered, serving for six months as an interpreter in a Turkish hospital. His selfless dedication to war victims did not go unnoticed. In appreciation, the Turkish sultan awarded him a medal, the prestigious Star of the Third Order of Medjidieh.
In 1915, within a year after World War I began, Darius was assigned to work with prisoners in France and Italy, both of which were unprepared for the mounting number of captured troops. The YMCA assumed the challenge of caring for the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of the men held captive. The organization’s efforts were based on Christian charity, but it mattered not what one’s beliefs were: the YMCA was simply there to help anyone.
Access to prison camps had been largely restricted, but Davis was a great negotiator and spokesman. Dealing with various government officials, he stressed the YMCA’s neutrality, which was a powerful argument....
They soon discovered the great value of Davis’ plan. Soldiers and prisoners alike were thrilled with the results, and within two years, 70 huts were established across the country. Eventually, more than 1500 were in place. In early 1917, when America entered the war, General Pershing requested that Davis provide the same program for the huge number of Allied troops destined for service in France. That meant quadrupling their efforts, which required enormous infrastructure.
Undaunted, Davis led the way, and within a year, the YMCA was operating what was once described as “the world’s largest grocery chain.” At a cost of over $50 million, it included more than 40 factories for producing cookies, candies, and other supplies, plus warehouses, banks, hotels, cafes, dorms, and garages for vehicle repair. Their own construction and repair departments built and maintained the facilities.....
Extracted from “A Franklin County War Hero Without A Gun” by Lawrence P. Gooley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Davis was an American YMCA Field Secretary in Europe during World War I. He started working for the Association in 1907 in the Division of Religious Work in Washington, DC. In 1910, he traveled to Constantinople to establish an Association movement in the Ottoman Empire. During the Balkan Wars, Davis conducted war morale work for Turkish soldiers. He left Turkey in 1914 and returned to the United States. John R. Mott sent Davis to initiate and develop WPA operations in France, Italy, and Sardinia in 1915. When the United States entered the war, he became the Senior American Secretary in France and supervised the Foyers du Soldat war morale relief work for French soldiers. Davis became the Senior Secretary in Europe in 1919, when Archibald Harte transferred to Jerusalem, and directed the development of national Associations in Russia and Eastern Europe. In 1931, Davis became the Associate General Secretary of the World's Alliance in Geneva. During World War II, Davis worked in New York, serving as the Director of the YMCA's War Prisoners' Aid program. In 1945, he worked with prisoners of war, refugees, and youth in Germany and Austria. Davis retired from the World's Alliance in 1950.
Extracted from Pursuit of an 'Unparalleled Opportunity' by Kenneth Steuer
He was born on 6 May 1883 in Skerry, New York.
He worked on the family farm in Malone, New York. In 1903, he graduated from the Franklin Academy in Malone, New York. He then attended Syracuse University from 1903 to 1907, majoring in theology. In 1905 he was elected president of Syracuse University's YMCA chapter, and he graduated from the institution in 1907. He then became the religious director for the YMCA in Washington, D.C. After World War I Davis was appointed as the senior YMCA representative for all of Europe, where he organized YMCA chapters in several countries. In 1925, he became secretary of the national YMCA council in Switzerland, and in 1931 was he was named the associate general secretary of the World YMCA, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
He died in May 1970 in Westwood, New Jersey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WESTWOOD, N.J., May 21 —Darius A. Davis, who directed aid to war prisoners for the Young Men's Christian Associa tion during both World Wars, died here yesterday. He was 87 years old and lived at 90 Hurlbut Street.
Mr. Davis joined the Y.M.C.A. staff in Washington as religious work director after graduating from Syracuse University in 1907. He later headed Y.M.C.A. work in Turkey for the organization’s International Committee
At the outbreak of World War I, he went to France to direct Y.M.C.A. aid to war prisoners on both sides of the conflict. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by France, and honored by 10 other European governments.
Extracted from The New York Times, May 22, 1970, Page 29
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BIOGRAPHY OF DARIUS A. DAVIS
Darius Alton Davis (1883-1970) graduated from Syracuse University in 1907 and immediately went to work for the YMCA as director of religious activities in Washington, D.C. In 1910 he began international work for the Y as the general secretary in Turkey, where he organized war relief work during the Balkan Wars. In 1915 he went to work for the Y's International Committee working with prisoners of war in France, Italy, and Sardinia. In 1917 at the request of General Pershing he worked on establishing 1,600 YMCA huts in France for Allied soldiers.
After World War I Davis continued his international YMCA service in a number of positions. In 1919 the International Committee appointed him senior representative in Europe; his work concentrated on organizing YMCAs in Eastern Europe. From 1925 to 1932 he served as secretary of the National Council of Switzerland. From 1931 to 1949 he served as associate general secretary of the World Alliance of YMCAs. In this position during World War II he worked with the YMCA's War Prisoners' Aid program, which provided religious, educational, and recreational services to prisoners of war in Europe and the Far East. From 1945 to 1949 Davis was the senior representative of the YMCA in Germany, working on service to displaced persons and former prisoners of war. In 1949 he came back to the United States and continued to work on the International Committee staff.
Davis married Maud Merritt in 1907 and the couple had one daughter, Shirley, born in 1913.
Syracuse University granted him honorary L. H. D. in 1923.
Throughout most of his European work he resided in Geneva, Switzerland.
Information from the YMCA Archives, University of Minnesota
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darius Alton Davis was born in 1883 in Skerry, New York, and worked on the family farm about ten miles southwest of Malone in Franklin County. The Davis family was devoutly religious, following the lead of Darius’ father, Newton, who took an active role in the local church, Sunday school, and county Bible Society.
In 1903, Darius graduated from Franklin Academy in Malone. At the commencement, several students presented papers to the assembly. Darius chose as his subject David Livingstone, the legendary Scottish explorer and medical missionary. The audience heard details on Livingstone’s humble beginnings, hard work, civility, and desire to help others. What young Davis was presenting, in fact, was a blueprint for his own future.
Darius attended Syracuse University (1903–1907), where he studied theology and played a leadership role on campus. “Dri,” as he was known, was a top oarsman, guiding the crew team to many sensational victories, including one world-record effort that stood for five years.
In 1905, he was elected president of the university’s YMCA (recently renamed “the Y”), an event that would determine his life’s direction. Prior to graduation in 1907, Darius accepted a position as religious director for the YMCA in Washington, D.C. After marrying his college sweetheart, he worked three years in Washington while continuing his studies, attending four terms at the Silver Bay YMCA School on Lake George, New York.
His personality, intelligence, and work ethic made Darius a very capable leader, and in 1910, the International Committee of the YMCA assigned him to establish a presence in Constantinople, Turkey. From the position of general secretary of operations, Darius built a membership of nearly 600 in the first year.
In late 1912, the Balkan War broke out, and Davis assumed the organization of Red Cross aid. He also volunteered, serving for six months as an interpreter in a Turkish hospital. His selfless dedication to war victims did not go unnoticed. In appreciation, the Turkish sultan awarded him a medal, the prestigious Star of the Third Order of Medjidieh.
In 1915, within a year after World War I began, Darius was assigned to work with prisoners in France and Italy, both of which were unprepared for the mounting number of captured troops. The YMCA assumed the challenge of caring for the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of the men held captive. The organization’s efforts were based on Christian charity, but it mattered not what one’s beliefs were: the YMCA was simply there to help anyone.
Access to prison camps had been largely restricted, but Davis was a great negotiator and spokesman. Dealing with various government officials, he stressed the YMCA’s neutrality, which was a powerful argument....
They soon discovered the great value of Davis’ plan. Soldiers and prisoners alike were thrilled with the results, and within two years, 70 huts were established across the country. Eventually, more than 1500 were in place. In early 1917, when America entered the war, General Pershing requested that Davis provide the same program for the huge number of Allied troops destined for service in France. That meant quadrupling their efforts, which required enormous infrastructure.
Undaunted, Davis led the way, and within a year, the YMCA was operating what was once described as “the world’s largest grocery chain.” At a cost of over $50 million, it included more than 40 factories for producing cookies, candies, and other supplies, plus warehouses, banks, hotels, cafes, dorms, and garages for vehicle repair. Their own construction and repair departments built and maintained the facilities.....
Extracted from “A Franklin County War Hero Without A Gun” by Lawrence P. Gooley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Davis was an American YMCA Field Secretary in Europe during World War I. He started working for the Association in 1907 in the Division of Religious Work in Washington, DC. In 1910, he traveled to Constantinople to establish an Association movement in the Ottoman Empire. During the Balkan Wars, Davis conducted war morale work for Turkish soldiers. He left Turkey in 1914 and returned to the United States. John R. Mott sent Davis to initiate and develop WPA operations in France, Italy, and Sardinia in 1915. When the United States entered the war, he became the Senior American Secretary in France and supervised the Foyers du Soldat war morale relief work for French soldiers. Davis became the Senior Secretary in Europe in 1919, when Archibald Harte transferred to Jerusalem, and directed the development of national Associations in Russia and Eastern Europe. In 1931, Davis became the Associate General Secretary of the World's Alliance in Geneva. During World War II, Davis worked in New York, serving as the Director of the YMCA's War Prisoners' Aid program. In 1945, he worked with prisoners of war, refugees, and youth in Germany and Austria. Davis retired from the World's Alliance in 1950.
Extracted from Pursuit of an 'Unparalleled Opportunity' by Kenneth Steuer
Darius Alton Davis (6 May 1883 - 1970) organized the YMCA in Europe.
He was born on 6 May 1883 in Skerry, New York.
He worked on the family farm in Malone, New York. In 1903, he graduated from the Franklin Academy in Malone, New York. He then attended Syracuse University from 1903 to 1907, majoring in theology. In 1905 he was elected president of Syracuse University's YMCA chapter, and he graduated from the institution in 1907. He then became the religious director for the YMCA in Washington, D.C. After World War I Davis was appointed as the senior YMCA representative for all of Europe, where he organized YMCA chapters in several countries. In 1925, he became secretary of the national YMCA council in Switzerland, and in 1931 was he was named the associate general secretary of the World YMCA, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
He died in May 1970 in Westwood, New Jersey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WESTWOOD, N.J., May 21 —Darius A. Davis, who directed aid to war prisoners for the Young Men's Christian Associa tion during both World Wars, died here yesterday. He was 87 years old and lived at 90 Hurlbut Street.
Mr. Davis joined the Y.M.C.A. staff in Washington as religious work director after graduating from Syracuse University in 1907. He later headed Y.M.C.A. work in Turkey for the organization’s International Committee
At the outbreak of World War I, he went to France to direct Y.M.C.A. aid to war prisoners on both sides of the conflict. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by France, and honored by 10 other European governments.
Extracted from The New York Times, May 22, 1970, Page 29
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BIOGRAPHY OF DARIUS A. DAVIS
Darius Alton Davis (1883-1970) graduated from Syracuse University in 1907 and immediately went to work for the YMCA as director of religious activities in Washington, D.C. In 1910 he began international work for the Y as the general secretary in Turkey, where he organized war relief work during the Balkan Wars. In 1915 he went to work for the Y's International Committee working with prisoners of war in France, Italy, and Sardinia. In 1917 at the request of General Pershing he worked on establishing 1,600 YMCA huts in France for Allied soldiers.
After World War I Davis continued his international YMCA service in a number of positions. In 1919 the International Committee appointed him senior representative in Europe; his work concentrated on organizing YMCAs in Eastern Europe. From 1925 to 1932 he served as secretary of the National Council of Switzerland. From 1931 to 1949 he served as associate general secretary of the World Alliance of YMCAs. In this position during World War II he worked with the YMCA's War Prisoners' Aid program, which provided religious, educational, and recreational services to prisoners of war in Europe and the Far East. From 1945 to 1949 Davis was the senior representative of the YMCA in Germany, working on service to displaced persons and former prisoners of war. In 1949 he came back to the United States and continued to work on the International Committee staff.
Davis married Maud Merritt in 1907 and the couple had one daughter, Shirley, born in 1913.
Syracuse University granted him honorary L. H. D. in 1923.
Throughout most of his European work he resided in Geneva, Switzerland.
Information from the YMCA Archives, University of Minnesota
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darius Alton Davis was born in 1883 in Skerry, New York, and worked on the family farm about ten miles southwest of Malone in Franklin County. The Davis family was devoutly religious, following the lead of Darius’ father, Newton, who took an active role in the local church, Sunday school, and county Bible Society.
In 1903, Darius graduated from Franklin Academy in Malone. At the commencement, several students presented papers to the assembly. Darius chose as his subject David Livingstone, the legendary Scottish explorer and medical missionary. The audience heard details on Livingstone’s humble beginnings, hard work, civility, and desire to help others. What young Davis was presenting, in fact, was a blueprint for his own future.
Darius attended Syracuse University (1903–1907), where he studied theology and played a leadership role on campus. “Dri,” as he was known, was a top oarsman, guiding the crew team to many sensational victories, including one world-record effort that stood for five years.
In 1905, he was elected president of the university’s YMCA (recently renamed “the Y”), an event that would determine his life’s direction. Prior to graduation in 1907, Darius accepted a position as religious director for the YMCA in Washington, D.C. After marrying his college sweetheart, he worked three years in Washington while continuing his studies, attending four terms at the Silver Bay YMCA School on Lake George, New York.
His personality, intelligence, and work ethic made Darius a very capable leader, and in 1910, the International Committee of the YMCA assigned him to establish a presence in Constantinople, Turkey. From the position of general secretary of operations, Darius built a membership of nearly 600 in the first year.
In late 1912, the Balkan War broke out, and Davis assumed the organization of Red Cross aid. He also volunteered, serving for six months as an interpreter in a Turkish hospital. His selfless dedication to war victims did not go unnoticed. In appreciation, the Turkish sultan awarded him a medal, the prestigious Star of the Third Order of Medjidieh.
In 1915, within a year after World War I began, Darius was assigned to work with prisoners in France and Italy, both of which were unprepared for the mounting number of captured troops. The YMCA assumed the challenge of caring for the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of the men held captive. The organization’s efforts were based on Christian charity, but it mattered not what one’s beliefs were: the YMCA was simply there to help anyone.
Access to prison camps had been largely restricted, but Davis was a great negotiator and spokesman. Dealing with various government officials, he stressed the YMCA’s neutrality, which was a powerful argument....
They soon discovered the great value of Davis’ plan. Soldiers and prisoners alike were thrilled with the results, and within two years, 70 huts were established across the country. Eventually, more than 1500 were in place. In early 1917, when America entered the war, General Pershing requested that Davis provide the same program for the huge number of Allied troops destined for service in France. That meant quadrupling their efforts, which required enormous infrastructure.
Undaunted, Davis led the way, and within a year, the YMCA was operating what was once described as “the world’s largest grocery chain.” At a cost of over $50 million, it included more than 40 factories for producing cookies, candies, and other supplies, plus warehouses, banks, hotels, cafes, dorms, and garages for vehicle repair. Their own construction and repair departments built and maintained the facilities.....
Extracted from “A Franklin County War Hero Without A Gun” by Lawrence P. Gooley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Davis was an American YMCA Field Secretary in Europe during World War I. He started working for the Association in 1907 in the Division of Religious Work in Washington, DC. In 1910, he traveled to Constantinople to establish an Association movement in the Ottoman Empire. During the Balkan Wars, Davis conducted war morale work for Turkish soldiers. He left Turkey in 1914 and returned to the United States. John R. Mott sent Davis to initiate and develop WPA operations in France, Italy, and Sardinia in 1915. When the United States entered the war, he became the Senior American Secretary in France and supervised the Foyers du Soldat war morale relief work for French soldiers. Davis became the Senior Secretary in Europe in 1919, when Archibald Harte transferred to Jerusalem, and directed the development of national Associations in Russia and Eastern Europe. In 1931, Davis became the Associate General Secretary of the World's Alliance in Geneva. During World War II, Davis worked in New York, serving as the Director of the YMCA's War Prisoners' Aid program. In 1945, he worked with prisoners of war, refugees, and youth in Germany and Austria. Davis retired from the World's Alliance in 1950.
Extracted from Pursuit of an 'Unparalleled Opportunity' by Kenneth Steuer
He was born on 6 May 1883 in Skerry, New York.
He worked on the family farm in Malone, New York. In 1903, he graduated from the Franklin Academy in Malone, New York. He then attended Syracuse University from 1903 to 1907, majoring in theology. In 1905 he was elected president of Syracuse University's YMCA chapter, and he graduated from the institution in 1907. He then became the religious director for the YMCA in Washington, D.C. After World War I Davis was appointed as the senior YMCA representative for all of Europe, where he organized YMCA chapters in several countries. In 1925, he became secretary of the national YMCA council in Switzerland, and in 1931 was he was named the associate general secretary of the World YMCA, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
He died in May 1970 in Westwood, New Jersey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WESTWOOD, N.J., May 21 —Darius A. Davis, who directed aid to war prisoners for the Young Men's Christian Associa tion during both World Wars, died here yesterday. He was 87 years old and lived at 90 Hurlbut Street.
Mr. Davis joined the Y.M.C.A. staff in Washington as religious work director after graduating from Syracuse University in 1907. He later headed Y.M.C.A. work in Turkey for the organization’s International Committee
At the outbreak of World War I, he went to France to direct Y.M.C.A. aid to war prisoners on both sides of the conflict. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by France, and honored by 10 other European governments.
Extracted from The New York Times, May 22, 1970, Page 29
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BIOGRAPHY OF DARIUS A. DAVIS
Darius Alton Davis (1883-1970) graduated from Syracuse University in 1907 and immediately went to work for the YMCA as director of religious activities in Washington, D.C. In 1910 he began international work for the Y as the general secretary in Turkey, where he organized war relief work during the Balkan Wars. In 1915 he went to work for the Y's International Committee working with prisoners of war in France, Italy, and Sardinia. In 1917 at the request of General Pershing he worked on establishing 1,600 YMCA huts in France for Allied soldiers.
After World War I Davis continued his international YMCA service in a number of positions. In 1919 the International Committee appointed him senior representative in Europe; his work concentrated on organizing YMCAs in Eastern Europe. From 1925 to 1932 he served as secretary of the National Council of Switzerland. From 1931 to 1949 he served as associate general secretary of the World Alliance of YMCAs. In this position during World War II he worked with the YMCA's War Prisoners' Aid program, which provided religious, educational, and recreational services to prisoners of war in Europe and the Far East. From 1945 to 1949 Davis was the senior representative of the YMCA in Germany, working on service to displaced persons and former prisoners of war. In 1949 he came back to the United States and continued to work on the International Committee staff.
Davis married Maud Merritt in 1907 and the couple had one daughter, Shirley, born in 1913.
Syracuse University granted him honorary L. H. D. in 1923.
Throughout most of his European work he resided in Geneva, Switzerland.
Information from the YMCA Archives, University of Minnesota
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darius Alton Davis was born in 1883 in Skerry, New York, and worked on the family farm about ten miles southwest of Malone in Franklin County. The Davis family was devoutly religious, following the lead of Darius’ father, Newton, who took an active role in the local church, Sunday school, and county Bible Society.
In 1903, Darius graduated from Franklin Academy in Malone. At the commencement, several students presented papers to the assembly. Darius chose as his subject David Livingstone, the legendary Scottish explorer and medical missionary. The audience heard details on Livingstone’s humble beginnings, hard work, civility, and desire to help others. What young Davis was presenting, in fact, was a blueprint for his own future.
Darius attended Syracuse University (1903–1907), where he studied theology and played a leadership role on campus. “Dri,” as he was known, was a top oarsman, guiding the crew team to many sensational victories, including one world-record effort that stood for five years.
In 1905, he was elected president of the university’s YMCA (recently renamed “the Y”), an event that would determine his life’s direction. Prior to graduation in 1907, Darius accepted a position as religious director for the YMCA in Washington, D.C. After marrying his college sweetheart, he worked three years in Washington while continuing his studies, attending four terms at the Silver Bay YMCA School on Lake George, New York.
His personality, intelligence, and work ethic made Darius a very capable leader, and in 1910, the International Committee of the YMCA assigned him to establish a presence in Constantinople, Turkey. From the position of general secretary of operations, Darius built a membership of nearly 600 in the first year.
In late 1912, the Balkan War broke out, and Davis assumed the organization of Red Cross aid. He also volunteered, serving for six months as an interpreter in a Turkish hospital. His selfless dedication to war victims did not go unnoticed. In appreciation, the Turkish sultan awarded him a medal, the prestigious Star of the Third Order of Medjidieh.
In 1915, within a year after World War I began, Darius was assigned to work with prisoners in France and Italy, both of which were unprepared for the mounting number of captured troops. The YMCA assumed the challenge of caring for the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of the men held captive. The organization’s efforts were based on Christian charity, but it mattered not what one’s beliefs were: the YMCA was simply there to help anyone.
Access to prison camps had been largely restricted, but Davis was a great negotiator and spokesman. Dealing with various government officials, he stressed the YMCA’s neutrality, which was a powerful argument....
They soon discovered the great value of Davis’ plan. Soldiers and prisoners alike were thrilled with the results, and within two years, 70 huts were established across the country. Eventually, more than 1500 were in place. In early 1917, when America entered the war, General Pershing requested that Davis provide the same program for the huge number of Allied troops destined for service in France. That meant quadrupling their efforts, which required enormous infrastructure.
Undaunted, Davis led the way, and within a year, the YMCA was operating what was once described as “the world’s largest grocery chain.” At a cost of over $50 million, it included more than 40 factories for producing cookies, candies, and other supplies, plus warehouses, banks, hotels, cafes, dorms, and garages for vehicle repair. Their own construction and repair departments built and maintained the facilities.....
Extracted from “A Franklin County War Hero Without A Gun” by Lawrence P. Gooley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Davis was an American YMCA Field Secretary in Europe during World War I. He started working for the Association in 1907 in the Division of Religious Work in Washington, DC. In 1910, he traveled to Constantinople to establish an Association movement in the Ottoman Empire. During the Balkan Wars, Davis conducted war morale work for Turkish soldiers. He left Turkey in 1914 and returned to the United States. John R. Mott sent Davis to initiate and develop WPA operations in France, Italy, and Sardinia in 1915. When the United States entered the war, he became the Senior American Secretary in France and supervised the Foyers du Soldat war morale relief work for French soldiers. Davis became the Senior Secretary in Europe in 1919, when Archibald Harte transferred to Jerusalem, and directed the development of national Associations in Russia and Eastern Europe. In 1931, Davis became the Associate General Secretary of the World's Alliance in Geneva. During World War II, Davis worked in New York, serving as the Director of the YMCA's War Prisoners' Aid program. In 1945, he worked with prisoners of war, refugees, and youth in Germany and Austria. Davis retired from the World's Alliance in 1950.
Extracted from Pursuit of an 'Unparalleled Opportunity' by Kenneth Steuer
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